Point Park's Rushan Roberts drives through the Midway (Ky.) defense on Friday at CCAC-South (Photo by Darnell Graham).
Box Score
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. -- In a game of runs, it was Midway (Ky.) University that made the last one to edge Point Park University, 82-80, in a River States Conference men's basketball game Friday night at CCAC-South Gym.
Both teams had their moments of highs and lows, and both teams were playing without several of their top players. With the momentum and the lead going back and forth for 40 minutes, it was Midway that made the last move to win.
Point Park (5-9, 3-2 RSC) found itself down by seven points with five minutes to go. But the Pioneers quickly reeled off an 11-0 run to lead 73-69 with 3:30 to play. The spurt had a pair of treys by Rushan Roberts sandwiched around a drive by Gavin Rajahpillay.
But Midway (2-12, 2-4 RSC) punched back with a 10-0 run to answer. It was ignited by a pair of 3-pointers by Will Hudson, which gave the Eagles a lead they would not relinquish, 75-73.
Free throws put Midway's lead at 80-75 with 30 seconds left. Although Asim Pleas' basket and bonus free throw pulled the Pioneers within 80-78, two more free throws were clutch by Midway's D.J. Henderson. He made both to put the 3-pointer out of play for an 82-78 lead with eight seconds left.
Rajahpillay raced the ball up court and fed Fousseini Konate for a basket to get witin 82-80. With two seconds left, the Pioneers needed a steal, but Midway was able to complete the inbounds pass after a timeout, and the last ticks expired.
Konate had his best game of the year with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Pleas finished with 17 points. Although he battled foul trouble in the second half, he had 13 before the break. That was a big reason why the Pioneers were able to dig out of an early, 18-6 hole after eight minutes.
Pleas hit a couple of 3-pointers in the first half, and Point Park managed to go in front at the half, 35-34. Point Park was still holding on to a one-point lead at 56-55 with 8:41 to go before Midway later went on to build its 69-62 lead at the 5:13 mark.
Roberts totaled 14 points, and Rajahpillay added 12 points and eight assists.
The Pioneers were without starters Sa'iid Allen, Kenny Strong and Jaylen Mann due to various issues. Midway was in the same boat without leading scorer Bryson Harris and Tyler Smothers, both starters. Harris leads the team at 16.8 ppg.
Point Park returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 7 for another River States Conference game versus IU Kokomo. Tipoff is 2 p.m. at CCAC-South Gym. Watch Live on the Point Park Sports Network on Stretch Internet with HD streaming video at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/PPU. Follow the Pioneers on social media @PointParkSports #PPUMBB #PPUHOOPS.
